Conakry - Police in Guinea have arrested a rapper accused of raping a woman at knifepoint, after images of the alleged assault circulated on social media, they said Wednesday.
A police spokesman said the suspect, Tamsir Toure, who had fled to neighbouring Ivory Coast, was in custody in the Guinean capital Conakry, but did not indicate when or where he was arrested.
“I confirm that Tamsir is back. He has been at the central prison since 3:30 pm,” said the spokesman, Boubacar Kasse.
Dozens of women took to the streets in protest after a video circulated of the alleged sexual assault - in which the victim is held at knifepoint.
Justice Minister Cheick Sako said during one of these protests on November 4 that he had put out an international arrest warrant for Toure.
Two men were arrested on October 29 in relation to the assault, and were charged on November 2 with complicity.
Police said that one of the accomplices helped Toure escape and the other helped find the room where the alleged rape took place in July.
Toure is part of the Banlieuz'art rap group, which is popular in Guinea.
The group has distanced itself from the disgraced member after the alleged assault and subsequent arrests, saying that Toure had not been working with them for some time.
AFP